I told Pete yesterday that I wasn't sure how I was going to get it all done before bedtime. The kids were outside and I had a little grumble session, rattling off a list of all that I needed to do in the next 24 hours. At the top of the list was peel and seed – and then can – the tomatoes, stem and process the green beans, and make pickles. Somehow I had bushels of produce piling up on my porch and in my kitchen and I needed to put the time in to deal with them. The fruit flies were starting to gather.
And then the kids came in for lunch.
When Sage got to the kitchen he saw the big pot of water simmering away on the stove. "Whatcha doin'? Are you peeling tomatoes? I'll do it. I want to peel tomatoes!" And before I knew what had happened my kids had set up two work stations at the table and peeled, cored, and seeded a half-bushel of our garden tomatoes.
I was both grateful and amazed. You see, a long time ago we stopped forcing chores. When I'm overwhelmed I experiment with it once in a while, but it always leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth. Forcing participation in the day-to-day workings of the family teaches that everyone must participate for the family to function (a good lesson) but it also teaches that participating in said work really sucks. Helping is not fun when you are forced to help, so I believe the positive lessons are mostly missed. So I stopped doing it.
My kids do help – every day even – but they usually get to choose how. Lupine hates clearing and washing her dishes, but she likes setting the table and wiping it down. She also loves mopping, cleaning the bathroom, and folding laundry. Do I really need to force her to wash her plate? If so, to what end?
And by preserving the notion that helping is fun, they don't hesitate to jump in and participate in our life – simply for the joy of it. And to me that's the best lesson of all.
Oh, and as for that messy work of processing tomatoes? Both my kids are pretty sensitive when it comes to anything tactile. Lupine couldn't seed a tomato with her eyes open. But tomato after tomato she kept at it, simultaneously amused and disgusted. It was awesome.
so cute! Sage is getting so big! i love the pics of lupine!
The pictures of Lupine seeding tomatoes are priceless! thank you for the smile and laugh while taking a quick break at work. and i think your thoughts on chores are right on. i hated chores as a kid and never volunteered to help unless asked/forced. i’ll keep this one in mind as my 2 year old dd gets to that age.
I am waiting for my teenager to joyfully help around the house again…lol! I have to admit to some recent forced chores with that child…
What a great post! And your baby girl is getting so big! I still remember that adorable sweet-cheeked baby in a baby carrier!! How time flies 🙂
I love that she is doing it all with a sequence belt on! I can’t wait till my girls are old enough to help out. With one at 22 months and one at 5 days I still have a bit to go.
Sequins make every messy job better. How awesome that they jump in and help — I have a feeling my boys will too!
The pictures of Lupine are priceless. My kids love to help in the kitchen, but other chores it is a struggle.
Is there any space in the middle? Say, a master list that every member of the family chooses from? Somehow it might be more palatable if they select their own chores. But then, my kids are both under ten. And so I officially know nothing. :0)
Oh yeah. Were always dressed for a party over here – even if its just a tomato party.
Love her faces!
Okay…I really like that idea! I’m going to try having a master list. Very cool!
I can’t stop giggling over the pictures of Lupine. She’s too cute.
Oh my cute! I find the “Not forcing chores” to be very interesting. Part of me says, “we all work to run our house” is important. The other part of me agrees with you.
What a joyful little girl! Her faces just warmed my heart. She looks so much like you, Rachel!
Wonderful pictures! I had to come back twice to see Lupine’s face: so cute & funny& cute again!
I know. I still snort when I see this series. I was laughing so hard when it all was happening. Surprised I could take photos!
I feel the same way Morgan! We force and coheres chores around my house. The constant nagging and reminding makes me (and the kids) crazy. Frankly, I’d RATHER just do it all myself because then it gets done quick and “right”. But, I think it’s important that the kiddos internalize that we we work and live as a team. To think that they might naturally pitch-in if I’d just quit harping… I wonder how long the detox period would be???
Great post, Rachel. So glad your kids gave you the lift you needed to get through the task at hand.
Oh man…her expression is adorable! Too cute!
Thanks for the LOL!
cutest thing ever!!! (Lupine and the tomatoes)
i am honestly not sure if anyone would help if i didn’t ask/insist….
You might be surprised, Sarah! 🙂
I also stopped forcing my kids to do chores….and I stopped allowance. We now pitch in when it’s needed, and the payment for that is that we all get to eat, sleep and play together! I also try to include my kids in the ‘fun’ stuff like kneading bread, sifting flour, setting out the wine glasses (they love that)….so that their participation isn’t drudgery but the rhythm of life. Thanks for a great reminder! Mrs. P.